Nokia N81 review

The Nokia N81 currently has an Informr score of 6.8 out of 10.
This score is based on our evaluation of 6
sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

Symbian

Operating system

Operating system

Symbian

369 MHz

Processor

Processor

369 MHz

2.4"

Screen Size

Screen Size

2.4"

2+ MP

Camera

Camera

2+ MP

1050 mAh

Battery

What the Critics Are Saying...

So I got this box in the mail that said N-GAGE on it. But the cell phone inside didn't look like a taco. I was confused. I tried talking into the side of the slider - it worked just like a cell phone should. What''s this N-GAGE moniker for? Turns out, N-Gage is no longer the name of a specific phone...

- Joe Brown, Wired

The music experience on this phone is easily equal to that of the iPhone in terms of storage, audio quality, and convenience, especially given the numerous ways in which you can enjoy your tunes.

If your N81 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Nokia support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Nokia's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.

Critic Reviews

It is supposed to keep us engaged not enraged

So I got this box in the mail that said N-GAGE on it. But the cell phone inside didn't look like a taco. I was confused. I tried talking into the side of the slider - it worked just like a cell phone should. What''s this N-GAGE moniker for? Turns out, N-Gage is no longer the name of a specific phone-it's a platform, meaning that in order to wear the storied (er, buried?) badge a handset must meet certain performance criteria when it comes to mobile gaming. And the phone in question, Nokia's N81 8GB, is the first so-branded model to be released in the US. This handset has a 3D graphics accelerator, super-bright 16-million-color screen, and physical controls geared toward gaming. There are buttons on opposite ends of the device, mimicking the feel you get when you pick up say, an Xbox 360 controller. In the software department, the N81 runs the graying S60 operating system, and comes with a suite of demo games that cost about $10 to activate. Really? Come on guys, the new N-GAGE is supposed to keep us engaged not enraged...

So I got this box in the mail that said N-GAGE on it. But the cell phone inside didn't look like a taco. I was confused. I tried talking into the side of the slider - it worked just like a cell phone should. What''s this N-GAGE moniker for? Turns out, N-Gage is no longer the name of a specific phone-it's a platform, meaning that in order to wear the storied (er, buried?) badge a handset must meet certain performance criteria when it comes to mobile gaming. And the phone in question, Nokia's N81 8GB, is the first so-branded model to be released in the US. This handset has a 3D graphics accelerator, super-bright 16-million-color screen, and physical controls geared toward gaming. There are buttons on opposite ends of the device, mimicking the feel you get when you pick up say, an Xbox 360 controller. In the software department, the N81 runs the graying S60 operating system, and comes with a suite of demo games that cost about $10 to activate. Really? Come on guys, the new N-GAGE is supposed to keep us engaged not enraged.

WIRED 3G and Wi-Fi, which should be standard on every phone, thank you very much. Gaming controls work as advertised, with nary a mis-pressed button in several straphanger gaming sessions. 8 gigs is, like, plenty of memory. Sleek design and excellent build quality. Unlocked. Autofocus-free 2-megapizzle camera is paparazzi-fast.

TIRED Paparazzi-fast camera seems like it's trying especially hard not to focus. Fancy piano-black screen is the opposite of antireflective. Topside button is built around the speaker, and squeaks if you move the phone around during a conversation (= always). Flat, nearly featureless keypad is impossible to use without looking down. Yo Nokia, why can't you include at least one free game with my $630 phone? And where the @#$! is Snakes?!

It has rightfully been praised for its audio quality and internal storage

The Nokia N81 8GB is a worthy follow up to the N91, and it has rightfully been praised for its audio quality and internal storage. The battery life is ample for enjoying music, and it manages to do that without draining the battery, and the WiFi is a convenient touch for high-speed data. Once the...More

The Nokia N81 8GB is a worthy follow up to the N91, and it has rightfully been praised for its audio quality and internal storage. The battery life is ample for enjoying music, and it manages to do that without draining the battery, and the WiFi is a convenient touch for high-speed data. Once the Nokia Music Store and N-Gage Platform launch globally, the N81 will be a hot handset to have. The music experience on this phone is easily equal to that of the iPhone in terms of storage, audio quality, and convenience, especially given the numerous ways in which you can enjoy your tunes. However, the camera is merely decent for a 2.0 megapixel, and leaves something to be desired. The build quality is also less than perfect, with noisy creaks and groans being heard when using the handset. But even with those few shortcomings, I still consider the N81 8GB to be worthy of a 'Recommended' rating.

User Reviews

screen problem

Pro: : )
Con: :(
I bought from 3 months a new mobile phone which is nokia N81 and unfortunately after 2 months from enjoying using it the screen wasnt working anymore as supposed to; it has a problem with the light and the mobile technician said that I have to a 50 $ to install for me a new screen !!...More

Pro: : )
Con: :(
I bought from 3 months a new mobile phone which is nokia N81 and unfortunately after 2 months from enjoying using it the screen wasnt working anymore as supposed to; it has a problem with the light and the mobile technician said that I have to a 50 $ to install for me a new screen !!! and i asked if i want to sell it he will take it for a 100 $ from me while i bought it for 400 $
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Buzz!!!

Nokia N810

Pro: Screen
Con: Doesn't Play Smooth video's
I purchase this unit and it's a waste of money. The unit will not stream at 30 frames per-second. The company will tell you it's not a PDA blah, blah. The is the worst. Please don't waste your money on it. If the unit can't play a video from utube smoothl...More

Pro: Screen
Con: Doesn't Play Smooth video's
I purchase this unit and it's a waste of money. The unit will not stream at 30 frames per-second. The company will tell you it's not a PDA blah, blah. The is the worst. Please don't waste your money on it. If the unit can't play a video from utube smoothly then it's a waste. I have both the N800 and this one and they both operate the same way except the N800 doesn't have a pull out keyboard. The company needs to improve on the video playing frame as well as the web cam. Please don't buy you will be sorry.
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